Jos Buttler smashed 82 runs at the Oval in Saturday night's Hundred Eliminator as his Manchester Originals chased down their target to reach the final at Lords.

In reply to Southern Brave’s 197 – 2 the Originals enjoyed a rapid start scoring 28 off the first 10 balls with the Brave creating a couple of chances dropping just wide of slip and cover.

The Originals were well on the way to a victory as they posted 61 from their powerplay. After just 30 balls the openers had 82 runs exactly double that of the Brave at the same point.

James Vince took a timely low catch at cover to dismiss Phil Salt for 47(17) off the bowling of Mitchell Santner with the Brave growing increasingly desperate to stem the flow of runs.

The barrage continued as Max Holden linked with Buttler in a 63 run partnership until he was caught for 31 off the bowling of Tymal Mills with the 65th delivery.

Originals needed 26 from the final 20 balls but Brave were offered a lifeline as Chris Jordan dismissed Buttler for 83 as Rehan Ahmed held onto a towering catch leaving 17 to get from 12. But it was too little too late as Jamie Overton and Calvin Harrison knocked off the final runs.

In the first innings Finn Allan forced a change of ball after sending a Harrison delivery out of the stands and into Vauxhall for six in his innings of 69(38).

A tough start saw Allen play three false shots including a top edge for four as the Brave were inserted at the Oval. The batter then attempted a ramp off Richard Gleeson but was cramped for room and was only able to middle the 84mph delivery into the grill of his helmet as he folded backwards onto the turf.

Allen threw a counter punch on the 7th ball which was pulled 15 rows back off Josh Little’s bowling.

The opening pair survived the powerplay with 37 on the board. Allan dismantled the bowling of Zaman Khan and Harrison hitting five sixes for his 69(38). 

Manchester Originals had their breakthrough when Paul Walter had Allen caught behind feathering an edge from an attempted scoop to Buttler on the 65th ball.

Gleeson kept James Vince quiet to start but the captain grew into a vintage Vince performance of power and timing sending four balls over the rope in his innings of 56*(25).

Devon Conway carried his bat scoring 51*(38) as the Brave set Originals a chase of 197 for a spot in Sunday's Hundred final.